Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
As Rātana celebrations conclude for another year, the contentious Treaty Principles Bill was the talk of the day, with politicians on either sides of the spectrum having their say.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters labelled it as "dead in the water" in his speech, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterated his earlier stance against the bill's future prospects.
Followers of the Rātana Church, called mōrehu, gather at the small settlement south of Whanganui each year in January to celebrate the birthday of the movement's founder, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, on 25 January.
The event traditionally marks the start of the political year, as politicians pay tribute to the movement and engage with Māori leaders.
Earlier, a Māori leader said the Rātana celebrations would be a chance for Luxon to front up to Māori.
RNZ collated the best images of the day:
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Luxon and other MPs are welcomed onto Rātana.
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Rātana spokesperson Kamaka Manuel told the government representatives he wanted to see collaboration between the Crown and Rātana on the repair of its marae buildings.
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Rahui Papa - of Waikato Tainui and the Kīngitanga - pleaded for the prime minister to "work together" and expressed his concern over Māoridom.
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
New Zealand First's Shane Jones told people not to waste any more energy opposing the controversial bill, because it will never see the light of day.
Speaking at Rātana, Green MP Teanau Tuiono said the fight had just begun to stop the Treaty Principles Bill. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Green MP Teanau Tuiono said that while political parties present today at Rātana have many differences, all have no love for the Treaty Principles Bill, and the fight had just begun to stop it.
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Former Te Pāti Māori co-leader Tariana Turia was still being mourned at Rātana Pā, including by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who praised the longstanding relationship between the Labour Party and the Rātana Church.
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Kamaka Manuel and Christopher Luxon at Rātana in 2025. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Kamaka Manuela and Labour Leader Chris Hipkins at Rātana Pa Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at Rātana Pa. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer speaking to media at Rātana on 24 January, 2025. Photo: RNZ/ Reece Baker
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer speaking to media at Rātana on 24 January, 2025. Photo: RNZ/ Reece Baker
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the prime minister was being led by ACT, pointing to recent appointments at the Waitangi Tribunal - among them, former ACT leader Richard Prebble.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick at Rātana Pa. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick speaks to media.
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